How to Save Money - Saving Tips

Learn how to save money and find tips and advice to help you with rebates, coupons and more.

From Reader's Digest Magazine

Saving Tip 1: Use Discount Codes

Ever bought something online and been prompted to key in the discount code? Just what are these secret codes and where can you find them?
The discounts work for online sales only and allow you to take typically 10-25% off at the checkout. Deals come and go, so check the fine print for exclusions and validity dates.

Where to find Discount Codes

Look for codes at www.retailmenot.com, a useful Melbourne-based company that lists more than 20,000 international stores in alphabetical order, including everything from Amazon to Victoria’s Secret.

Another good site is www.discountcodes.com.au, which lists limited-time discounts and deals for Australian websites including Dell, WeightWatchers, Rebel Sport and The Wine Society. We found a code for Dell that could save up to $300 on the new Vostro notebook range.

For deals on credit cards and travel insurance, visit www.shopau.com.au.

Saving Tip 2: Rebates

When you buy at www.buckscoop.com.au, it pays you back. No, really. The site collects commissions from online merchants – from travel to fashion to beauty – and shares part of the commission with you through cashback offers.

Recent rebates included 8% on Roses Only, up to $21 off Virgin Mobile and 22.5% off Skype products. To get your rebate, sign on for free membership with Buckscoop, then browse the stores. Click on a store’s link and make a purchase; the cashback is credited to your PayPal account. The downside: cashback, yes; instant credit, no – it can take up to three months for the money to reach you.

Other sites worth considering include: www.ozbargain.com.au, www.topbargains.com.au, www.rewardlover.com and www.moneybackco.com

If you’re in the market for bargain electronics or travel on international sites, you could do worse than checking out www.fatwallet.com.

Saving Tip 3: Coupons

A good resource for shopper-docket-style free coupons is www.whypayfullprice.com.au. Type in your postcode to discover coupons for everything from local restaurants to beauty salons. You can simply print off the coupons and away you go.

We found coupons for a $1 hot drink at Gloria Jean’s Coffees and a $400 cashback offer on home loans organised through The Mortgage Professionals.

Also worth a look are www.hotdockets.com.au and www.ozbargain.com.au.

Saving Tip 4: Comparisons

If you’re short on time, use shopping bots (search engines that look for deals) for price comparisons, such as www.lasoo .com.au, which compares catalogue prices between speciality and department stores.

For online stores, try www.getprice.com.au. It’s especially good for electronics and cameras – for example, a Canon digital camera ranged in price from $812 to $2099.
To compare electricity and gas suppliers, try www.shoparound.com.au and also www.go switch.com.au.

Saving Tip 5: Auction Websites

Online auctions do go beyond eBay. For new gear at up to half price, try www.oztion.com.au, www.graysonline.com.au.

Holiday and travel insurance deals are at www.travelauctions.com.au and www.bidmate.com.au.

If you love eBay, visit www.missing-auctions.com, which finds commonly misspelt items – we found seven misspelt PlayStations going cheap because other bidders could not find them.

Saving Tip 6: Getting Deals

Buy pharmaceuticals online and save up to 20% on your healthcare bills. Try www.webpharmacy.com.au or www.pharmacydirect.com.au. It has cheaper prices on items not on the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS). Mail your prescriptions to Pharmacy Direct and you’ll normally be contacted about refills. Postage is about $5.95, but is waived for PBS prescriptions.